Card holder



Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,358 v E. ARENDT CARD HOLDER Filed Jan. 9. 1926 Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNST ARENDT, OF BERLIN-FICHTENAU, GERMANY.

CARD HOLDER.

I Application filed January 9, 1926, Serial No. 80,194, and in Germany January 9, 1925,

This invention relates to card indexes, and

comprehends a novel construction of means for supporting the cards whereby any particular card can be located with a minimum of time and efi'ort.

In carrying out the'invention I contemplate the use of an endless carrier upon which the cards are pivotally mounted 1n overlapping relation, with only one edge of each card exposed, but which cards are adapted to be reversed in groups to fully expose any articular card for use.

Another 0 ject of the invention resides in arranging the endless carrier with its cards within a casing having an opening in the top thereof, with all of the cards normally extending in the same direction, and held in this position by the carrier and the adjacent walls of the casing, but said opening allowing a large number or group of cards to be swung upon their pivots to a. reverse position, thereby allowing any particular card to be fully exposed for use.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means arranged with relation to the opening in the top, whereby the said groups of cards previously reversed, are moved to their normal positions as said cards enter the casing through the open- Ttiore specifically stated the casing includes an end wall projecting an appreciable distance above the opening in the top thereof, and disposed in the path of movement of the cards, to engage the latter during the movement of the carrier in one direction, and thereby cause said cards to assume their normal positions as they enter the casanother object of the invention resides in the use of a stationary support over which the upper run of the carrier travels, and arranged to support the cards in position for writing thereon.

The invention is exemplified by the accompanying drawing, partly in section, showing the relation of the cards and the endless card carrier.

Around two rollers a and b, one of which is provided with a crank c, is an endless carrier d (or plurality of endless carriers) in a casing e which wholly or partially encloses the rollers a and 7) and the carrier (1, the casing being capable of being closed on its upper side by a lid, not shown on the draw- The cards 7 placed on edge at short distances apart are secured to the endless carrier in such a way, for instance by needles or the like, that they overlap each other like the scales of a fish and retain their position when the endless carrier is in motion. If any particular card is desired, the crank is turned until that card appears at the open side of the casing. The crank is stopped and those cards which lie over the card to be used are turned backwards as shown on the drawing. By this means the writing side of the card to be used is exposed.

The lower portion of the casing is so constructed that the cards lying there are guided and supported in order that the points at which the. cards are secured to the band, and the endless carrier itself, should not be unnecessarily strained.

Below the upper portion of the endless carrier a flat pad member 9 is arranged in order to support the band and prevent its being pushed downward when writing on a card. The cards normally extend in the same relative direction and are held in such position by the walls of the casing while the carrier is being moved therein, but by reason of the fact that the casing is open at its top, a number or group of cards can be quickly and conveniently swung upon their pivots to reversed positions, in order to expose any particular card for use. As clearly illustrated in the drawing a. number of cards have been arranged in reverse positions, thereby exposing the card indicated at w, so that data may be taken from this card, or additional data written thereon. The specific disposition of the pad or support 9 with relation to the upper run of the carrier is such, that it serves as a support for the particular card being used so that it can be conveniently written upon.

Any suitable means may be employed to return the group of cards which have been previously reversed in the manner just stated, to their normal positions, as the cards enter the casing through the opening in the top thereof, but I preferably extend the end wall is of the casing an appreciable distance above the opening in the top thereof for this purpose. As clearly shown in the drawing this end wall I: is disposed in the path of movement of the cards, so that as the latter enter the casing through the opening, the free ends of the cards contact the end wall is, whereby the cards are swung upon their pivots to gradually assume their normal positions durin the continued movement of the carrier d. By reason of this construction and ar 'angement of parts it is clear that the writing sides of the cards are always protected from dirt or other forei 'n matter, and that any particular card can lie quickly located and conveniently arranged for use.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of comstruction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a casing open at its top and including an end Wall, spaced rollers journaled within the casing, an endless carrier movable over said rollers, index cards pivoted on said carrier in overlapping relation and normally extending in the same direction, said cards being adapted to be moved through said opening to reversed positions, whereby the Writing side of any particular card can be fully exposed for use, said end Wall projecting above the opening and arranged to engage said reversed cards and return the latter to their normal position during the movement of said carrier, and means for rotating one of said rollers.

2. In combination, a casing open at its top, an endless carrier mounted therein and movable Within the casing, index cards pivoted on said carrier in overlapping relation and normally extending in the same direction, said cards being adapted to be moved throu 'h said opening to reversed positions, where y the writing side of any particular card can be fully exposed for use, and a stationary supportover which the upper run of the carrier moves, and arranged to support the cards in position for writing thereon.

3. In combination, a casing open at its top, an endless carrier mounted therein and movable Within the casing, index cards pivoted on the carrier in overlapping rela tion and normally extending in the same dircction, said cards being adapted to be moved through said opening to reversed posi' tions, whereby the writing, side of any particular card can be fully exposed for use, means for supporting said cards in position for Writing thereon, and means disposed in the path of said cards, whereby the reversed cards are gradually moved to their normal positions as they enter the casing from said opening.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

ERNST .ARENDT. 

